La. Chief injured After Being Thrown from Police Motorcycle

Baton Rouge Police Chief Jeff LeDuff suffered moderate injuries Saturday when he was thrown from his motorcycle after coming to an abrupt stop while exiting Interstate 10 at Siegen Lane.

LeDuff was driving his department-issued motorcycle at 1:45 p.m. in the eastbound ramp when the crash occurred, said Lt. Doug Cain, a State Police spokesman.

The chief hit his brakes and was thrown from his motorcycle, which slid along the road and hit a 2003 Lincoln LS driven by Carla Smith, Cain said.

Witnesses told investigators that another vehicle on the ramp cut into Smith's and LeDuff's lane, causing traffic to suddenly halt, Cain said. The driver of that vehicle was not located.

Smith, 47, of Baton Rouge, was not injured in the crash, Cain said. Her car received minor damage.

LeDuff, who was wearing his helmet at the time of the crash, was taken to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center with moderate injuries, Cain said. He was released hours later.

LeDuff was not tested for drugs or alcohol because neither was suspected, Cain said. Such screens are done automatically only when a crash involves serious injury or a fatality, he said.

No one was issued a ticket in the crash, even though it was LeDuff's fault because Smith was at a complete stop and LeDuff hit her from behind, Cain said.

Normally, when a law enforcement official is involved in a minor accident disciplinary action is deferred to the agency for which the official works, he added.

State Police has concluded its investigation into the crash with the exception of inspecting the chief's motorcycle to make sure it was running properly at the time.

Sgt. Don Kelly with the Baton Rouge Police Department issued a statement Saturday saying the chief - who spent 20 years as a motorcycle officer with the Police Department before becoming chief in 2005 - is expected to make a full recovery and appreciates everyone's thoughts and prayers.

Kelly said the crash should also serve as a reminder to everyone to drive safely this holiday season and for motorcycle riders to always wear their helmets.